The facility is said to be a world first, demonstrating the use of seawater and natural fertiliser from aquaculture to grow plant biomass which then can be converted into aviation fuel, the flagship project of Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium led by the Masdar Institute.

The biomass will be harvested in June and the oil will be extracted from the seeds.

Afterwards, it will be refined to become jet fuel and used on an Etihad Airways flight.